On November 13, 2025, two significant legal developments unfolded in India and Malaysia, both centering on the persistent and ever-evolving challenge of forgery and fraud within official institutions. In Punjab, India, a high-profile forgery case involving police officers came to a head, while in Teluk Intan, Malaysia, authorities cracked down on a suspect accused of forging honorary awards and ceremonial titles. These cases, though separated by geography, underscore a global struggle against the manipulation of official documents and the risks such actions pose to public trust.
In Punjab, the courtroom of Additional District and Sessions Judge Ashwani Kumar saw a turning point in a case that had gripped the state’s police force since early 2022. Inspector Satwant Singh and Sub-Inspector Sarabjit Singh of the Punjab Police were discharged from charges related to the alleged issuance of fake promotion and transfer letters. These letters, purportedly signed by former Director General of Police (DGP) Sidharth Chattopadhyay, surfaced just days before the DGP’s transfer, raising questions about their legitimacy and the motivations behind their creation.
The case began with an FIR filed after DSP Vibhur Kumar, acting on behalf of the Punjab DGP, reported four suspicious orders. The orders, dated January 4 and January 8, 2022, involved the promotion of several officers, the establishment of a constable recruitment order, and the erasure of adverse entries in Inspector Daljit Singh’s Annual Confidential Report (ACR). Crucially, the signatures on these documents were determined to be forged, suggesting an elaborate attempt to confer benefits on specific individuals within the force.
During the proceedings, the defense for Satwant Singh argued that he had never been posted in the DGP’s office nor held any position associated with the DGP’s administrative work. Furthermore, his counsel emphasized that no incriminating evidence had been collected against him, aside from a disclosure statement from co-accused Sarabjit Singh. The defense contended that a confessional statement by one accused implicating another could not, by itself, justify framing charges.
Satinder Singh, another accused seeking discharge, raised procedural concerns. His counsel pointed out that the investigation was conducted by a Sub-Inspector, a rank not authorized under the Prevention of Corruption Act to lead such probes—only a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) holds that authority. Additionally, the defense argued that the lack of proper court permission for the investigation further “vitiated” the proceedings.
Ultimately, Judge Ashwani Kumar ruled that the evidence collected did not reveal the involvement of Satwant Singh and Sarabjit Singh in the commission of any offense. However, the court found sufficient grounds to frame charges against other accused—Sandeep Kumar, Money Katoch, Bahadur Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Harwinder Singh, and Satinder Pal Singh—for conspiracy to forge documents, misuse of official position, and using forged documents as genuine. The order stated, “Sarabjit and Satwant stand discharged in the present case. However, evidence available on record is sufficient to frame the charges under Section 420, 464, 465, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B against the accused persons.”
While the Punjab case highlights the complexities of internal investigations and the importance of procedural integrity, a parallel story was unfolding in Teluk Intan, Malaysia. There, police detained a 41-year-old local man in a special undercover operation—aptly named “Ops Puyuh”—on suspicion of forging honorary awards and ceremonial titles. According to Hilir Perak district police chief ACP Dr. Bakri Zainal Abidin, the arrest stemmed from careful intelligence and monitoring by officers from the Commercial Crime Investigation Division.
“The suspect is believed to have been involved in the forgery of honorary titles as well as falsifying the Malaysian Ex-Police Association documents to deceive certain parties,” Dr. Bakri said in a statement, as reported by Bernama. During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted involvement in the forgeries. Police seized a trove of evidence, including forged award certificates, documents granting permission to use ceremonial titles, insignia, membership cards, and photographs of the suspect dressed in ceremonial attire adorned with multiple fake honorary titles.
Investigators also confiscated a Toyota Corolla Altis with stickers and unrecognized honorific emblems, a mobile phone, and a SIM card believed to have been used for impersonation. The case is being investigated under Section 3 of Act 787 (Awards Act 2017), which provides penalties for the unauthorized issuance or wearing of honorary awards.
The crackdown on forgery in Teluk Intan is part of a broader campaign by Malaysian authorities to tackle various forms of crime. In a separate development, police detained eight men and seized more than 220 Bitcoin mining machines during a series of operations targeting illegal mining activities in residential areas between November 5 and 11, 2025. These raids, conducted in cooperation with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM), also resulted in the confiscation of modems, TP-Link devices, and other computer accessories used in the illicit operations. The suspects are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief and Section 37 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990 for unauthorized use of electricity.
The Hilir Perak Narcotics Crime Investigation Division has also been active, seizing drugs worth RM628,572 from January to October 2025. The haul included 8,751.14 grams of heroin valued at RM437,557 and 2,369.2 grams of cannabis worth RM118,460, along with other substances such as methamphetamine, erimin, ketamine, ecstasy, and mitragynine. “These seizures demonstrate the effectiveness of enforcement operations carried out by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division, including intelligence work, raids, and coordinated monitoring with relevant agencies,” Dr. Bakri noted.
Against this backdrop of intensified enforcement, Hilir Perak has seen a notable improvement in road safety. From January to October 2025, road accident statistics showed a 28.71% decrease compared to the same period in 2024, with all accident categories reflecting a downward trend. The Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division conducted 107 planned operations—well above the target of 40—to enhance public safety and curb street thuggery. Traffic enforcement efforts led to the issuance of 7,962 summonses, a 22.15% decrease from the 10,227 issued during the same period last year.
These events in Punjab and Teluk Intan reveal the multifaceted nature of law enforcement’s battle against forgery, fraud, and other criminal activities. From the intricacies of police procedural law in India to the broad sweep of crime-fighting in Malaysia, the common thread is clear: the integrity of official documents and institutions is vital to public trust. As authorities continue to adapt and respond, the stories of those who enforce the law—and those who seek to circumvent it—remain as compelling as ever.
